Foot adjuster and exerciser



Oct. 23, 1934. .1, 5. EACH FOOT ADJUSTER AND EXERGISER Filed Oct. 13.1932 Inl entol James n'n bsan Back Patented Oct. 23, 1934 UNITED STATES.FOOT ADJUSTER AND EXERCISER James Simpson Bach, Toronto, Ontario,Canada Application October 13,

4 Claims.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a simple form ofdevice by means of which the foot may be easily manipulated to impart ahighly corrective influence to the rimscular and arch structures.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device for thispurpose which will not require the services of a specially skilledattendant and which will be readily adjustable to control the correctiveeliect on the foot and which may be manufactured at a cost which willencourage its general use. p

The principal feature of the invention consists in the novelconstruction and arrangement of parts whereby a fulcrum support ispresented to the underside of the foot below the arch structure while asecondary spaced contact surface ispresented to the toe portions on theupper side thereof to restrict the fulcrum movement of the foot therebyimparting a stretching influence to the upper dorsal muscles andligaments and altering the position of the tarsal and metatarsal bonesin the arch structure thereby F relieving the unnatural stresses on thearticulated joints.

A further and important feature resides in the novel construction of asupporting frame on which the fulcrum support is adjustably mounted withrelation to the secondary support to control the resultant action on thefoot structure.

In the drawing, Figure l is a perspective view illustrating a deviceconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

V Figure 2 is a mid-sectional elevational view showing the dispositionof the parts in relation to a foot structure.

It is well known that when the dorsal or upper muscles are contracted bylifting of the heel and dropping of the arch, the strain of supportingthe weight of the body on the plantar or under muscles and ligaments isvery greatly increased. Extreme discomfort and fatigue is thusinvariably experienced. The lower or plantar muscles and ligamentsbecome unduly stretched permitting the tarsal and metatarsal bones ofthe arch structure to sag to an unnatural position and permitting theupper dorsal muscles to contract so that a condition is set up in thefoot structure favourable to the development of numerous ailments.

The present invention has been devised with a view to Simplifying thecorrections of these abnormalities existing in the foot structure and inthe form of the invention illustrated I preferably provide a light framestructure 1 which may 1932, Serial No. 637,568

be formed from suitable heavy gauge metal stampings or may be cast fromaluminum or other suitable metal.

The frame preferably comprises a pair of side. members 2 and 3 connectedat one end by the cross member 4 and being sloped upwardly toward theother end and connected at the upper edge by the cross member 5.

The end extremities adjacent the cross member 5 preferably extenddownwardly to engage the floor and the other endsof the side members 2and 3 and the cross bar 4 are also adapted to engage the floor so thatthe device will be supported firmly in position with the cross member 5presenting a curved under surface spaced a suitable distance above thefloor surface.

A fulcrum plate 6 is provided of a length to fit snugly between the sidemembers 2 and 3 and preferably presenting a convexed upper surace.

The fulcrum member 6 carries journal lug extensions 7 which projectcentrally beyond the ends of the member 6 and are adapted to rest inaligned notches 8 formed in the upper edge of the side members 2 and 3to support the fulcrum member 6 in position.

A plurality of sets of notches 8 are provided as indicated so that anadjustment of the fulcrum member 6 longitudinally of the frame isprovided for.

Mounted on the upper surface of the fulcrum member 6 is a pad or cushionmember 9 which, as illustrated in Figure 2, is adapted to engage theunderside of the foot below the arch structure B and secured to theunder surface of the cross member 5 is a second pad member 10 which isadapted to engage the top part of the foot forwardly of the arch andadjacent the toe structure or metatarsal bones.

It will thus be apparent that by placing the foot in the position shownin Figure 2 and then urging the foot in a downward direction about thefulcrum support 6, a highly corrective influence will be imparted to thefoot structure.

The lower muscles and ligaments indicated by the letter C will berelieved to a considerable extent of strain and allowed to contracttending to separate the metatarsal and tarsal bones of the arch tendingto separate, relieving to a degree the pressure on the nerves andligaments at this point and the tendency will be to stretch the upper ordorsal muscles and ligaments indicated by the numeral A from theirabnormal contracted position enabling the arch to return to a morenormal position.

The presence of the pads or cushioning elements prevents discomfort inthe use of the device and permits the application of the desiredpressure and forces so that a very effective manipulation of the foot isachieved.

It will be seen that by adjusting the fulcrum member 6 toward or awayfrom the secondary pressure contact element 10 a corresponding controlon the arch structure is provided for, enabling the localizing of thecorrective stresses at predetermined points in the foot structure andfurther enabling the progressive manipulation thereof.

It is preferable to provide for the folding of the frame into compactform and to this end. the frame is preferably formed of articulatedsections hinged together at the points 11.

What I claim as my invention isc 1. A foot adjuster and exerciser,comprising a fulcrum contact for engaging the foot below the archstructure, and a secondary contact spaced from the aforesaid fulcrumcontact and acting. to assist the bending movement of the foot aboutsaid fulcrum contact, said fulcrum contact comprising a member extendingfrom side to side of the foot to engage the latter in extendedtransverse pressure-distributing contact and being mounted for freerocking movement only on an axis disposed transversely of the foot.

2. A foot adjuster and exerciser comprising, a fulcrum contact forengaging the foot below the arch structure and around which the foot isto be bent, a secondary pad contact to engage the forward upward part ofthe foot to assist the bending of the foot about said fulcrum contact,said fulcrum contact comprising a foot engaging member elongated in thetransverse direction of the foot for extended contact therewith fromside to side and presenting an arched upper side, said foot engagingfulcrum member being pivotally mounted at the ends and adjustablerelative to said secondary pad contact.

3. A foot adjuster and exerciser comprising a fulcrum contact padextending transversely of the foot below the arch structure and aroundwhich the foot is to be bent, a secondary and stationary pad contact forengaging the forward upward part of the foot to assist the bending ofthe foot about said fulcrum contact, said fulcrum contact having acombined pivotal and adjustable mounting at its ends adjacent therespective sides of the foot, to vary its co-operative relation to thefoot and to said stationary pad contact.

4. A foot adjuster and exerciser comprising a light metal frame havingside members spaced apart and provided with a series oftransverselypaired notches in the upper edges disposed in the lengththereof, a cross member fitting between said side members and havinghorizontally projecting end lugs for adjustable engagement in the saidpaired notches, said cross member having a pad or cushion for fulcrumcontact with the foot below the arch structure, and a second cushioningpad supported by the frame in spaced relation to the aforesaid pad forengagement with the upper surface of the foot in the toe region toassist the bending of the foot about said fulcrum pad contact, saidhorizontally projecting end lugs comprising axially aligned bearingtrunnions and said series of paired notches forming journals torotatably as Well as adjustably receive the bearing trunnions.

JAMES SIMPSON EACH.

